St. Francis men sentenced for burglarizing, burning home
Two men from St. Francis, South Dakota, have been sentenced to federal prison for their roles in the burglary and arson of a home on the Rosebud Indian Reservation.
By News Channel Nebraska
ST. FRANCIS, S.D. - Two men from St. Francis, South Dakota, have been sentenced to federal prison for their roles in the burglary and arson of a home on the Rosebud Indian Reservation.
Michael Valandra Jr., 28, was sentenced to just over three years in prison for arson, while Donald Aquallo Jr., 26, received one year and six months for third-degree burglary.
On the night of Jan. 5, 2024, Valandra and Aquallo broke into an unoccupied home in St. Francis. Valandra then intentionally set multiple fires inside. The two men fled the scene on foot, but the homeowner soon noticed the fire and called 911. Despite emergency response efforts, the home was completely destroyed.
Security cameras in the neighborhood captured Valandra and Aquallo approaching the house and then running away moments before the fire became visible.
Both men were indicted by a federal grand jury in April 2024.
The case was investigated by the Rosebud Sioux Tribe Law Enforcement Services and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives. Assistant U.S. Attorney Kirk Albertson prosecuted the case.